The Army Research Lab at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., approached the depot in August 2003, according to a depot official for help with the kits' design, development, prototyping and manufacturing.

The effort began as a partnership between the depot and Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., for the production of an initial 1,000 kits. Anniston produced 500 kits between mid-December 2003 and Feb. 3, 2004.

ANAD ultimately produced 4,443 kits, said Gilda Knighton, the depot's deputy director for mission plans and operations. That total is one-third of the total kits manufactured, she noted, adding that production is complete.

The depot took the mission one step further, however. Anniston personnel deployed in-theater to install kits on the vehicles at a service center in Kuwait as well as in Iraq.